I’m from manners,

from providing more than those before.
I’m from navy seas and horseback,
from a close knit town where everyone knows the 5 Gallagher kids.
I’m from tough love,
where we always heard “go outside or get in the basement.”
I’m from storytelling,
from grandpa’s haunted memories of WWII and grandma’s life experiences.

I’m from history,
from the Calumet Copper Kings and northern pines.
I’m from povatica dough,
from the tentative Slovenian recipes but kind hearts.
I’m from tradition,
from saying grace before every meal and having the boy come to the door.
I’m from polish pride,
and the long distance phone calls to the cousins I haven’t seen in ages.

I’m from green eyes,
from Januchowski hair and the infamous Ozdych smile.
I’m from Bay City,
where both sides were born and raised.
I’m from John Glenn,
where my parents, aunts, and uncles lived out their high school years.
I’m from Sequin Dr. and Wheeler Rd.
where my family made homes out of houses.

I’m from family movie nights,
from neighborhood cookouts, bonfires, and pool parties at the Lee’s.
I’m from the love of laughter,
from the cards games that end in screaming matches.
I’m from Ms. Lore’s school of dance,
from annual recitals and endless weeknights at the studio.
I’m from friendship,
from my neighbors who wrote plays and played house with me.

But more than anything, I’m from love.
From endless, unwavering, inevitable, unconditional love.